What should you know about severe melanoma?

Severity is assessed from features such as how deeply the tumour enters the skin, whether it has ulcerated, and whether melanoma cells are found in lymph nodes or other organs. A changing mole, an unusual new dark spot, bleeding, crusting, or a lesion that does not heal warrants medical review; these signs do not by themselves establish melanoma.

A biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Further assessment may include a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or imaging, depending on the pathology and clinical findings. Brain Metastases are one possible distant complication, but symptoms and scans must be interpreted by the treating team.

Arrange prompt review with a dermatologist or cancer team and bring the biopsy report, medicine list, and history of changes. Treatment may involve Surgical Excision or Skin Cancer Surgery for the primary lesion. More extensive disease may be considered for Tumour Removal Surgery, Immunotherapy, or other specialist treatments. Do not delay appointments to try home remedies or remove a suspicious lesion yourself.

Seek urgent medical help for new weakness, confusion, seizures, severe headache, breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, or rapidly worsening illness. Contact the cancer team promptly for a new lump near the original lesion, persistent unexplained pain, new neurological symptoms, or marked changes in a treated area. Keep scheduled examinations even when the skin looks healed.

What did the biopsy show, and what further staging is needed? Is lymph-node assessment appropriate? Which treatment is recommended first, what side effects should I report quickly, and what will Follow-Up After Cancer Treatment involve?